Assemblymen Andrew Raia (R,I,C,WF-East Northport) and Jim Conte (R,C,I,WF-Huntington Station) recently met with the Italian Consulate General Francesco Palo at an Italian Legislators breakfast, where they talked about the need to promote Italian and Italian-American business interests in the state and in Italy. The Assemblymen and Consulate also discussed the importance of increasing the amount of Italian studies at SUNY & CUNY schools and for high schools to offer more Italian courses. Assemblymen Raia and Conte and Consulate General Palo believe that by encouraging Italian classes in schools the state can go a long way toward preserving and promoting New York’s rich Italian heritage and culture.